May 17, 2019 - Visit to Olympia from Katakolon, Greece

Thursday 16th May 2019 Day 20 Day at sea Today is our last full day at sea on this cruise. We are heading across the Mediterranean Sea towards the west. In the middle of the day we passed Crete. After breakfast, we went to a lecture about the disembarkation process followed by an extensive talk about Venice. After lunch, a cocktail followed by by our final Italian lesson at which we received a certificate each for our attendance. We enjoyed a very exciting and energetic dance show followed by dinner with our companions, then to bed. Today...

May 12, 2019 - Goodbye Greece, hello Italy

Wednesday May 1 Still moving “stuff” from No.1 to No.2 – No.1 is much lighter now, I estimate by ½ tonne and there’s finally some extra storage space! Hurrah. Mind you, not my storage space but maybe Gen might concede now to giving up some of the locker space he’s occupied over the years. Anyways. Need to make new inventories / lists of where things are – all change, all change! Thursday May 2 Julian joined us today, which is wonderful. In the evening Gwen and Pete joined us on No.2 and we had a bit of a party. Friday May 3 Having checked...

May 1, 2019 - Getting ready for summer 2019

Well we’ve been in the marina now nearly four weeks. We’ve spent time on each boat and have “lived” on No. 2 for nearly half of this time. She’s very different to No. 1 – layout and size. She’s comfortable (will need little modification/alteration) and will be “home” for quite a number of years to come. During this time we have caught up with Gwen and Pete, which has been great. We’ve BBQ’d, had a galettes Sunday (as we used to back in MdR (Sicily), and enjoyed drinks at the Blue cafe/bar. Pete and Keri (from Levkas) came and stayed on No....

Apr 23, 2019 - Get Me to the Greek on Time

D was quarantined for 24 hours. Don’t ask. He was confined to the our cabin. They called the room to make sure he was inside. The room Stewart sanitized our entire room. His time was up at 9:41 am. Our shore trip to Corinth was leaving at 9:00am. I know what’s only 41 minutes but they are serious about anyone asking for Imodium. His seacard was blocked so until that time he would not be allowed to leave the ship. They give you free water and movies. All I can say is never leave home without it. So we decided to just take the good old Hop...

Apr 10, 2019 - Santorini

When the boat arrived in Santorini harbour, I was overwhelmed by the reception of both humans and animals! The donkeys descended thick and fast down some of the steepest terrain I have ever seen, rushing to meet the ferry and haul the load of tourists up the steep steps to the town perched on the rocks above. Santorini is a submerged volcano that erupted eons ago, leaving a caldera behind. Its steep rock faces are covered with whitewashed villas clinging to the rock face like vines on a brick wall. There is a tradition in Santorini of...

Apr 9, 2019 - Leaving Lefkas

Back in time for the end of winter festivities. The winter liveaboards held a BBQ which was well attended and lots of fun. Nice to catch up with the wonderful people we met over the winter. Porto Cafe had a 5th anniversary party which went on to the early hours of the morning for some e.g. Gen. We’ve enjoyed our time in Lefkas – there’s so much I’m going to miss, especially the Saturday morning local produce market, the fishmongers, butchers and the fine eateries. It’s been an interesting winter, our first as full time liveaboards. I think...

Mar 31, 2019 - Exploring the Pelopennese - text updated

Back in Lefkas, catching up with people we have met over the winter – lovely. Also decided with the uncertainty of Bregxit we would keep the car for a few more weeks and do some travelling around. Spent a few days driving around the Peloponnese which was just brilliant. Booked accommodation in Sparti and then travelled around visiting various places such as Monemvasia (Monemvasia is set on a stark, steep and rocky islet just off Laconia’s eastern shore. It was first settled in the Early Middle Ages, but its main flourish, dominating the...

Mar 22, 2019 - Getting used to No. 2

Travelled up to Corfu when the weather got better. Lots of strong winds over the weekend and wasn’t sure the ferries would be running. Loaded up the car with various items Gen wanted and drove to Igoumenitsa and managed to get an earlier ferry which was great. Made it with a couple of minutes to spare. It was nice getting back on board No. 2 and getting used to a whole new experience. She’s very comfortable. Originally was intending to stay a week but we had some (nasty) surprises which delayed Gen getting various jobs completed - so...

Mar 9, 2019 - Naxos

Naxos is a bigger island than Paros and much larger than Antiparos. I found a lovely little room in a four-plex which even has a communal fridge and a tiny balcony overlooking a rather overgrown garden. Every morning I would wander into the village to buy fresh bread and watermelon for my breakfast -- heaven! I've explored the island on foot, following the rutted roads and pathways that criss-cross the island. Olive groves with lounging goats and sheep are everywhere and the air has a rich, dusty smell to it. I am so totally relaxed after...

Mar 4, 2019 - A little bit about no. 2......

March 2019 Been on No. 2 for over a week now – getting used to her and working out what we need to do to her and buy for our future adventures on her. We’ve been pretty lucky so far in that the previous owner had invested so much into her getting her ready for his big adventure and she’s already circumnavigated the world so she is up to it (hence one of the major reasons for us buying her). Although having said that there is a fair bit of maintenance and upkeep and repair that needs to be completed (after all she is over 20 years...

Mar 4, 2019 - spring is coming

February 2019 Back in Lefkas. Finished Greek lessons. The weather has been variable – lots of wind and some rain. There’s even been fresh dustings of snow on the mountains. Drove around the island one weekend and it’s just glorious, even when overcast. Have been enjoying wandering around Lefkas. Gen took the bus to Corfu to look in on No. 2 (as we are calling her) and completed various chores and maintenance, go through lockers etc – there’s all sorts of stuff stuffed everywhere – it will take a bit of time sorting through everything and...

Feb 6, 2019 - Wonderful Greece.....

Had pretty good weather when we returned from Corfu. On the weekend we drove around the island, Levkas – stunning, even when overcast. The west coast is lovely, the waters emerald green and lined with beautiful mountains covered with pine forests. Went back to Corfu for a few days to stay on our new boat – yes we have another boat – this one for blue water cruising. More on that later, especially as the Brexit outcome / result dictates a lot of what comes next. Having the car is great, we spent last weekend travelling around on the...